Playing until Sunday April 5 (excluding Wednesdays) at the Trades Hall Music Room. Tickets and more info at: comedyfestival.com.au/james-barr
The title of British comedian James Barr’s show at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival certainly grabs your attention, as does Barr himself from the moment he hits the stage.
Brash, bold and instantly warm and likeable, Barr won over the crowd instantly with his affable on-stage presence and liberal use of a smoke machine, and while (as the title suggests) his show delves into some dark territory involving shocking domestic abuse, Barr’s recounting of the worst period of his life carefully and sensitively guides us through his story.
Although this was a preview, you’d never know it given how tight and polished the entire show feels from start to finish.
And while there are detours about getting Botox, his thoughts on the late Queen Elizabeth II and a memorable trip to Germany, the centre of Barr’s show is his relationship with his former partner, and the abuse he suffered at his hands.
What started as an initially fun and loving relationship, which led to the pair moving in together, his partner eventually shows his true colours, revealing how violent, abusive and controlling he could be, and flying off the handle and lashing out at the slightest annoyance.
While this might not sound like ideal material for a comedy show, Barr takes us on a deft and beautifully written journey that, despite the darker moments, is a story of hope and survival in the face of cruelty.
The show is disarming at times in the way that Barr is able to transition from an amusing anecdote (including a heated encounter live on air with Piers Morgan) to one about the horrendous abuse he suffered, and back again.
The moments where Barr discusses the relationship he has with his mum are particularly heart-warming, including a hilarious story about the day he came out to her.
I’ve seen a lot of shows over the years at the Comedy Festival that delve into darker subject matter and it’s always risky to do so, as some audiences are often not prepared to go there with the performer. But thankfully, Barr is more than up to the task at finding the humour and hope in a dark period of his life, and the fact that he is on stage telling his story all over the world is a testament to the fact that he survived and is thriving in the aftermath.
A must see at MICF this year, Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum) is a masterclass of comedic storytelling and Barr is sure to win a legion of new fans during his run at this year’s festival.
4/5 Stars
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 